Lighted guide post assembly for boat trailer

ABSTRACT

A lighted guide post assembly for a boat trailer is provided. The assembly includes a square tubular angled support post that attaches to a boat trailer, a translucent circular outer tube that covers the square support post, and strips of lights that suspend within the interior of the outer tube between the outer tube and the square support post. This arrangement allows the guide post to glow on four sides without light bleeding together from adjacent sides of the guide post.

CROSS REFERENCES

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 17/235,892, filed on Apr. 20, 2021, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/012,677, filed on Apr.20, 2020, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety byreference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject matter of the present disclosure refers generally to lightedguide posts for centering a boat on a boat trailer.

BACKGROUND

Guide posts for boat trailers have become a common trailer accessory foraiding in centering a boat on a trailer when loading the boat onto thetrailer at a back-down boat ramp. When loading a boat back onto atrailer, the boat is floating in a body of water while the trailer ispartially submerged, thereby making much of the trailer invisible to theoperator of the boat as the operator attempts to steer the boat onto thetrailer in an accurately centered position on the trailer. A pair ofopposing guide posts are attached to opposing sides of the trailer andextend upwardly above the surface of the water on either side of thetrailer, thereby giving the operator of the boat visual guidance incentering the boat on the trailer. As the operator guides the boatbetween the posts, the posts may also physically aid in centering theboat by forcing the boat toward the center of the trailer if the boatcontacts one of the centering guide posts. Most guide posts have someflexibility but also have enough rigidity that the posts will push thestill-floating boat toward the center of the trailer.

To provide greater visibility when trailering a boat on a road at nightor when loading a boat onto a trailer at night or in low lightconditions generally, many guide posts for boat trailers have lightsoperatively connected to the lighting system of the towing vehicle witha lighting harness that supplies power to all lights on the trailer.However, there are problems with known lighted guide post systems forboat trailers. For instance, on many lighted guide posts, the lights arelocated only at the top of each post, which may limit visibility betweenthe guide post lights and the trailer tail lights, which may besubmerged when loading a boat onto the trailer. This may create problemsparticularly when loading a boat onto a trailer. Although an experiencedboat operator may be able to perform this task in low light conditionswhen other environmental conditions are favorable, this task may becomequite difficult in conditions of high winds, heavy fog, fast-movingcurrents, and/or muddy water. Guide post lights positioned at the top ofthe posts may also limit rear visibility for a driver trailering theboat on a roadway at night or other drivers on the roadway at night orin other low visibility conditions.

Although some guide post lighting systems provide some lighting betweenthe upper and lower ends of the guide posts, these systems also havesome problems, such as issues relating to Department of Transportationor other regulatory agency rules regarding lighting systems for highwayvehicles. For instance, some government agency regulations may controlthe required color of lights on vehicles and the direction that thoselights may face relative to the vehicle. Some known lighted guide postsystems may not comply with such regulations or guidelines if thosesystems have lights of multiple colors due to lights of one colorbleeding over to an area of lights of another color. Further, systemsutilizing only one color of lights do not provide the benefit ofproviding different types of information to others through the use oflights of different colors.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved lighted guidepost assembly for a boat trailer that provides lighting throughout thelength of each guide post and that may also utilize multiple lightcolors without the colors bleeding together.

SUMMARY

A lighted guide post assembly for a boat trailer and a method of usingand installing the lighted guide post assembly are provided. Theassembly comprises an angled support post having a first end section anda second end section positioned at an angle to the first end section.The first end section may be fixedly secured to a support beam of a boattrailer so as to support the second end section in a generally verticalposition with the second end section extending upwardly from the firstend section when the assembly is installed on a trailer. The first endsection has a first open end, and the second end section has a secondopen end opposite the first open end. The second open end is disposed atan upper end of the second end section. The support post has a hollowinterior that defines a conduit that extends continuously from the firstopen end to the second open end of the support post. The second endsection has a squared cross-sectional shape. The assembly furthercomprises a translucent circular tube disposed around a length of thesecond end section of the support post. The circular tube functions asone of an opposing pair of visible guide posts. The circular tube issized to fit over the squared second end section of the support postsuch that the combination of the circular tube and the squared secondend section of the support post form four respective cavities disposedbetween an exterior of the second end section and an interior of thecircular tube on each of four respective sides of the squared second endsection. Each cavity extends lengthwise along a length of the circulartube. The four cavities define a front cavity, a rear cavity, and twoopposing side cavities, respectively. The rear cavity faces toward arear end of the boat trailer when the assembly is installed on thetrailer, and the front cavity and side cavities face toward a front endof the boat trailer and sides of the boat trailer, respectively.

A strip of lights is disposed within the rear cavity and extendslengthwise along a length of the rear cavity. In a preferred embodiment,two strips of lights are disposed within the rear cavity with onefunctioning as running lights for the trailer and the second stripfunctioning as braking and turn signal lights. In a preferredembodiment, additional strips of lights may be disposed within the frontcavity and/or within one or both of the side cavities and extendinglengthwise along a length of the translucent circular tube. Wiring isoperatively connected to each respective strip of lights to provideelectrical power to the lights. The wiring extends continuously throughthe conduit within the interior of the support post from the first openend of the first end section to the second open end of the second endsection. The wiring is operatively connected to each respective strip oflights at an upper end of each strip of lights. Each strip of lightsextends from the wiring connection downwardly along a length of thesecond end section. The wiring may be retained in place at the upper endof the second end section by a wire retainer positioned at the secondopen end of the second end section of the support post. The wiring maybe electrically connected to a lighting system of the boat trailer,which may be connected to a towing vehicle via a wiring harness toprovide power to all lights on the trailer, including both the standardrear running lights and brake lights, as well as the light strips of theguide post assembly.

The assembly may include two support posts and two tubes so that onetube may be secured to each respective side of the trailer such that thecenter of the trailer is at a midpoint between the two tubes. The lightstrips are preferably LED light strips. The light strips disposed withinthe rear cavity preferably comprise red lights for braking and turnsignal lights, and the light strips disposed within the front cavityand/or side cavities preferably comprise amber lights to indicate to aviewer that the viewer is seeing the front and/or sides of the trailerrather than the back end of the trailer. In a preferred embodiment, theassembly includes three strips of amber lights disposed within the frontcavity and the two side cavities, respectively.

To install the guide post assembly, the first end section of the angledsupport post may be secured to the horizontal support beam of the boattrailer. Wiring to supply power to the light strips may be operablyconnected to wiring of the trailer's existing lighting system at one endand run through the conduit within the interior of the support post tothe second open end of the support post, which is at a top end of thesupport post. Individual wires may be retained at the top end of thesupport post by the wire retainer. The light strips may then be operablyconnected to the wiring and allowed to fall downward and suspend fromthe upper end of the second end section on the exterior of the secondend section of the support post. The translucent circular tube may thenbe positioned over the second end section of the support post and overthe suspended light strips. The tube may then be lowered down over thesecond end section of the support post with each light strip positionedwithin the circular tube on the appropriate side of the squared secondend section of the support post. The circular tube may then be capped atits upper end and secured in place to complete the installation.

Once the assembly is installed and the trailer lighting is connected tothe tow vehicle via a wiring harness, the lights of the assembly may becontrolled by lighting controls inside the tow vehicle. In a preferredembodiment, the assembly provides two strips of red LED lights in therear cavity, which faces rearward from the boat trailer when theassembly is installed on the trailer. One strip of red lights provideslighting for running lights that remain lighted at all times that thetowing vehicle's lights are activated. The second strip of red lightsprovides brake lights and turn signal lights when the braking or turningsignals of the towing vehicle are activated, respectively. The assemblypreferably also provides amber lights on the front and two sides of theguide post, which remain lighted whenever the lights of the towingvehicle are activated. The support post, including the squared secondend section, is constructed of an opaque material with the light stripspositioned on one of four sides of the squared tubing. Thus, thecross-sectional geometry of the opaque square support post and thetranslucent circular tube fitted over the support post prevents light onone side of the square support post to bleed over to any adjacent sidesof the circular guide post. The present assembly provides a simpleconstruction that is easy to assemble and that may provide lighting onall four sides of the round guide post that does not bleed togetherbetween adjacent sides of the post. Red lights indicate to observersthat they are viewing the rear end of the trailer, while amber lightsindicate to observers that they are viewing a front side of the guidepost or one of the sides of the trailer.

The foregoing summary has outlined some features of the system andmethod of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the pertinentart may better understand the detailed description that follows.Additional features that form the subject of the claims will bedescribed hereinafter. Those skilled in the pertinent art shouldappreciate that they can readily utilize these features for designing ormodifying other structures for carrying out the same purpose of thesystem and method disclosed herein. Those skilled in the pertinent artshould also realize that such equivalent designs or modifications do notdepart from the scope of the system and method of the presentdisclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a boat trailer having a lighted guidepost assembly installed thereon in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a lighted guide post assembly for aboat trailer in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows components of a lighted guide post assembly for a boattrailer in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A shows a component of a lighted guide post assembly for a boattrailer in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B shows a component of a lighted guide post assembly for a boattrailer in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3C shows a component of a lighted guide post assembly for a boattrailer in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows components of a lighted guide post assembly for a boattrailer in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a rear elevational view of an assembled lighted guide postfor a boat trailer in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled lighted guide postshown in FIG. 5 in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows components of a lighted guide post assembly for a boattrailer in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a partial perspective view of a lighted guide post assemblyfastened to a support beam of a boat trailer in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a partial side elevational view of a lighted guide postassembly for a boat trailer in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows an elevational view of a boat lift having a lighted guidepost assembly installed thereon in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the lighted guide post shown inFIG. 10 in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claimsbelow, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particularfeatures, including method steps, of the invention. It is to beunderstood that the disclosure of the invention in this specificationincludes all possible combinations of such particular features. Forexample, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of aparticular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim,that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combinationwith/or in the context of other particular aspects of the embodiments ofthe invention, and in the invention generally.

The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used hereinto mean that other components, steps, etc. are optionally present. Forexample, a system “comprising” components A, B, and C can contain onlycomponents A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C,but also one or more other components.

Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or moredefined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order orsimultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), andthe method can include one or more other steps which are carried outbefore any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, orafter all the defined steps (except where the context excludes thatpossibility).

A lighted guide post assembly 10 for a boat trailer 100 and a method ofusing and installing the lighted guide post assembly are provided. FIGS.1-9 illustrate preferred embodiments of the assembly 10 for use on atrailer 100. FIG. 1 illustrates two assemblies 10 installed on opposingsides of a rearward end 70 of the trailer 100. FIG. 2 illustrates oneassembled guide post assembly 10 detached from the trailer 100. FIG. 3illustrates mounting components for installing the guide post assembly10. FIGS. 3-5 illustrate one guide post assembly for installation on theright side of a boat trailer as viewed from the rearward end 70 of thetrailer 100, though the assembly may include both a left side assembly10 and a symmetrical right side assembly 10 so that the guide posts maybe used to center a boat on the trailer 100.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 , the assembly 10comprises an angled support post 22 having a first end section 34 and asecond end section 36 positioned at an angle to the first end section34. The first 34 and second 36 end sections are disposed on opposingends of an angled section 56 of the support post 22. The first 34 andsecond 36 end sections are preferably straight lengths of tubing thatare each attached to the angled section 56. The second end section 36 isdisposed in a generally vertical position and extends upwardly from thefirst end section 34. As best seen in FIG. 7 , the first end section 34has a first open end 40, and the second end section 36 has a second openend 38 opposite the first open end 40. The second open end 38 isdisposed at an upper end 39 of the second end section 36. The upper end39 may be defined by an uppermost structural end of the second endsection 36 when the second end section 36 is in a generally verticalposition after installation of the assembly 10. As best seen in FIGS. 1and 8 , the first end section 34 may be fixedly secured to a horizontalsupport beam 102 of the boat trailer 100. The assembly 10 may furthercomprise a fastener configured to fixedly secure the angled support post22 to the support beam 102 of the boat trailer 100.

The assembly 10 further comprises a translucent circular tube 12 sizedto fit over the second end section 36 of the support post 22. Wheninstalled, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the circular tube 12 is disposedaround a length of the second end section 36 of the angled support post22. In a preferred embodiment, the tube 12 is translucent but nottransparent. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9 , the tube12 may be a clear transparent tube, which may preferably be covered in aperforated wrap 54. In one embodiment, the tube 12 may be a length ofstandard polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe commonly used in pipingapplications, which provides sufficient transparency for the presentlighting application. The tube 12 functions as the guide post, and PVCconstruction provides a durable exterior suitable for repeated contactwith boats and extended saltwater and UV light exposure while alsoproviding sufficient transparency. The assembly preferably includes acap 14 sized to fit on the upper end of the tube 12 to prevent waterfrom entering the interior of the tube where electrical wiring andlighting components are housed.

The second end section 36 of the angled support post 22 has a squaredcross-sectional shape. In a preferred embodiment, the first end section34 also has a squared cross-sectional shape. The squared shape of eitherend section may have rounded corner sections 52. In some embodiment, thesquared shape may refer to any shape having four corners, which mayinclude an astroid shape or other shapes having concave sides. Thesupport post 22 is preferably constructed of metal, which is preferablymarine grade aluminum or galvanized steel. As best shown in FIG. 3 , theangled support post 22 preferably has a rounded 90-degree bend 56,though the angled support post 22 may alternatively have a bend ofslightly less than 90 degrees so that the guide posts 12 are angledslightly outward from the trailer 100 or may have a bend that is notrounded. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the first endsection 34 of the angled support post 22 is in a generally horizontalposition when the post 22 is secured to a trailer 100. The second endsection 36 is disposed in a generally vertical position (which mayinclude a position in which the second end section 36 is angled slightlyoutward from a 90-degree angle relative to the first end section 34) onthe opposite side of the angled section 56 of the angled support post 22from the first end section 34 such that the second end section 36extends upwardly from the first end section 34.

All portions of the angled support post 22 have a hollow interior thatdefines a conduit 46 that extends continuously from the first open end40 to the second open end 38 of the support post 22. As best shown inFIGS. 2 and 4 , the conduit 46 allows passage of wiring 26, 28, 30through the interior of the support post 22. As best seen in FIG. 8 ,the first end section 34 may be fixedly secured to the boat trailer 100with U-bolts 60 and corresponding nuts or any similar type of fastenerssuitable for securing the support post 22 to a trailer 100. The assembly10 may include a cradle 62 shaped to fit around the first end section 34of the support post 22 and having holes therein for attachment to theU-bolts 60. The U-bolts 60 may have a squared shape to conform to theshape of a support beam 102 of a boat trailer 100.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the assembly 10 may optionally include a circularinterior tube 16 and an extension tube 20. As best seen in FIG. 6 , theinterior tube 16 has a smaller diameter than the outer tube 12. Theextension tube 20 is a length of tubing having a squared cross-sectionalshape that conforms to the squared cross-sectional shape of the secondend section 36 of the support post 22. The extension tube 20 mayfunction as an extension of the second end section 36 to provide greatersupport to the outer tube 12 that fits around the second end section 36of the support post 22. In one embodiment, the optional extension tube20 may be utilized to retrofit the present assembly 10 for a trailer 100using an existing commercially available guide post support post 22 inwhich the second end section 36 of the existing support post 22 does nothave sufficient length so that the outer tube 12 is disposed around thesecond end section 36 along substantially all of the length of the outertube 12, such as the support post 22 as shown in FIG. 3 . The extensiontube 20 has a hollow interior and is open at both ends. The extensiontube 20 may be axially aligned with the second end section 36 of thesupport post 22, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 . When the extension tube20 is axially aligned with the second end section 36, the hollowinteriors of both the support post 22 and the extension tube 20collectively define a conduit 46 extending continuously between thefirst open end 40 of the first end section 34 of the support post 22 anda top open end 38 of the extension tube 20. Thus, in the embodimentshown in FIG. 3 , the second open end 38, which is disposed at the upperend 39 of the second end section 36, may be defined by the top open end38 of extension tube 20, which vertically extends the second end section36 in an upward direction. The second end section 36 of the support post22 preferably extends to a point near an upper end of the guide post 12when fully assembled, as shown in FIG. 5 . Thus, in one embodiment, asshown in FIG. 7 , the support post 22 may be a unitary piece of materialin which the second end section 36 extends to the desired height. Inanother embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3-5 , a support post 22 having ashorter second end section 36 may be utilized in combination with theextension tube 20 so that the combination of post 22 and extension tube20 extend to the desired height. Thus, the upper end 39 of the supportpost 22 may be defined by the second open end 38 of the second endsection 36 of the angled support post 22 itself, as indicated in FIG. 7, or the upper end 39 of the support post 22 may be defined by the topopen end 38 of the extension tube 20, as indicated in FIG. 3 . Theoptional interior tube 16 is sized to fit inside the optional extensiontube 20 and inside the squared tubular second end section 36 of thesupport post 22, as shown in FIGS. 2-4 . Use of the interior tube 16 maybe preferred when utilizing the extension tube 20 as the interior tube16 provides internal support for holding the extension tube 20 in placeand in alignment with the second end section 36 of the support post 22when installing the assembly. The circular interior tube 16 ispreferably sized such that an exterior surface of the interior tube 16contacts four interior walls of the extension tube 20 and of the secondend section 36 of the angled support post 22 along a length of theextension tube 20 and the second end section 36, as shown in FIG. 6 .

In a preferred embodiment, the assembly 10 further comprises a wireretainer 18 positioned at the second open end 38 of the second endsection 36 of the support post 22. As shown in FIG. 4 , in embodimentsutilizing an extension tube 20, the wire retainer 18 may be positionedat the top end 38 of the extension tube 20, which extends the second endsection 36 of the support post 22 and thus defines the upper end 39 ofthe second end section 36. The wire retainer 18 may be utilized toretain wiring 26, 28, 30 at the upper end 39 of the second end section36 of the support post 22.

The outer translucent circular tube 12 is sized to fit over the squaredsecond end section 36 of the support post 22 such that the combinationof the circular tube 12 and the squared second end section 36 of thesupport post 22 form four respective cavities 32 disposed between anexterior 50 of the second end section 36 and an interior 48 of thecircular tube 12 on each of four respective sides of the second endsection 36, as best seen in FIG. 6 . Each cavity 32 extends lengthwisealong a length of the circular tube 12 generally from the upper end 39of the second end section 36 (or from the upper end 39 of the extensiontube 20) to a lower end 44 of the tube 12. The four cavities 32 define afront 72 cavity, a rear 70 cavity, and two opposing side 74 cavities,respectively. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 , thecircular tube 12 is sized such that the interior surface 48 of thecircular tube 12 contacts four corner sections 52 of the second endsection 36 of the angled support post 22 along a length of the secondend section 36. In embodiments including the extension tube 20, theinterior surface 48 of the circular tube 12 may also contact four cornersections 52 of the extension tube 20 that is aligned with the second endsection 36. The corner sections 52 of the second end section 36 and theextension tube 20 are preferably rounded, as best seen in FIG. 6 , forease of installing the outer tube 12 over the second end section 36 andextension tube 20 and to facilitate a tight fit between the outer tube12 and the second end section 36 and extension tube 20.

The assembly 10 further comprises a strip of lights 24 a disposed withinthe rear cavity 32 and extending lengthwise along a length of the rearcavity 32 within the outer tube 12. In a preferred embodiment, theassembly 10 further comprises a second strip of lights 24 a disposedlengthwise within the rear cavity 32 parallel to the first strip oflights. In another preferred embodiment, the assembly 10 furthercomprises a strip of lights 24 b disposed within the front cavity 32 orwithin one of the side cavities 32 and extending lengthwise internallyalong a length of the circular tube 12. In another preferred embodiment,as shown in FIG. 6 , the assembly 10 comprises two strips of lights 24 adisposed lengthwise within the rear cavity 32 and one respective stripof lights 24 b in each of the front cavity 32 and the two opposing sidecavities 32. It should be understood by one of skill in the art thatvarious arrangements of lighting strips 24 disposed within differentcombinations of cavities 32 may be utilized and still fall within thescope of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the lightstrips 24 a disposed within the rear cavity 32 comprise red lights, andthe light strips 24 b disposed within any of the front and side cavities32 comprise amber lights. Because the lighting strips 24 extend alongthe length of the guide posts 12 to the upper end of each post, the wireretainer 18 may be utilized to retain the wiring 26, 28, 30 near theupper end of each guide post, as best seen in FIG. 4 .

The lighting strips 24 are positioned exterior to the interior tube 16,so it is not required that the interior tube 16 be translucent. In oneembodiment, the interior tube 16 may comprise a length of PVC pipe. In apreferred embodiment, the assembly 10 further comprises a cap 18designed to function as the wire retainer that is positioned at theupper end 39 of the second end section 36 (or extension tube 20) of thesupport post 22. The cap 18 may be sized to cap an upper end of theinterior tube 16 and to fit within an interior diameter of thetranslucent outer tube 12, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5 . In analternative embodiment, instead of a PVC piping cap, the wire retainer18 may comprise a retaining piece attached to, molded with or otherwiseintegrally formed with the interior tube 16, or alternatively with thesecond end section 36 or with the extension tube 20. For instance, in anembodiment utilizing a unitary angled support post 22 without anextension 20, as shown in FIG. 7 , the wire retainer 18 may comprise aretaining piece welded to or otherwise integrally formed with the post22 at the top end 38 of the second end section 36. In each of theseembodiments, the outer tube 12 will cover the second end section 36 ofthe support post 22, and the cap 14 of the outer tube 12 will enclosethe interior of the guide post 12 to protect and waterproof all internallighting 24 and wiring 26, 28, 30 components. Alternatively, theassembly 10 may not utilize a separate component as a wire retainer 18.In this case, the wiring 26, 28, 30 or light strips 24 connected theretomay extend out of the second open end 38 and may be supported in placeby the structure of the second open end 38 at the upper end 39 of thesecond end section 36.

FIG. 3A shows a front 72 view of the cap 18 preferably utilized to coverthe interior tube 16. The cap 18 preferably has a single small openingsized to run wiring 28, 30 for one strip of lights 24 b through theopening, which is preferably a strip of amber lights. FIG. 3B shows arear 70 view of the cap 18, which preferably has a pair of smallopenings sized to run wiring 26, 28, 30 for one of two strips of lights24 a through each respective opening, which are preferably both stripsof red lights, including one strip for running lights and one strip forbraking and turn signal lights. Alternatively, a single strip of lights24 a may be utilized for both running lights and braking and turn signallights, though two strips 24 a may be preferred so that the assembly 10is compatible with existing boat trailer 100 lighting systems, whichtypically use separate lights for running lights and for braking andturn signal lights. In a preferred embodiment, the cap 18 preferablyalso has a single small opening on each respective side 74 of the capfor wiring 28, 30 for one strip of lights 24 b, which are preferablyamber lights. FIG. 3C shows the top of the cap 18, which may optionallyhave a pair of small openings for a separate optional light (not shown)positioned on top of each of the guide posts 12. In this optionalembodiment, the cap 14 for the translucent outer tube 12 may be replacedwith a separate cap light assembly that fits onto the top end of theouter tube 12 and functions as both a light and as a cap 14 for theouter tube 12 for waterproofing the interior of the guide post.

The assembly further comprises wiring 26, 28, 30 operatively connectedto each respective strip of lights 24. The wiring 26, 28, 30 extendscontinuously through the conduit 46 within the interior of the supportpost 22 (and optionally the extension tube 20) from the first open end40 of the first end section 34 to the second open end 38 of the secondend section 36 (or extension tube 20) of the support post 22. As shownin FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 , the wiring 26, 28, 30 is operatively connected toeach respective strip of lights 24 at an upper end 25 of the strip oflights 24. Each respective strip of lights 24 extends from the wiring26, 28, 30 that is connected to the lights 24 and downwardly along thesecond end section 36 on an exterior 50 side of the second end section36. Each respective strip of lights 24 may be suspended from the upperend 39 of the second end section 36 such that the strip of lights 24hangs within a respective one of the four cavities 32. The wiring 26,28, 30 is operatively connected to each respective strip of lights 24through the second open end 38 at the upper end 39 of the second endsection 36 such that either the strip of lights 24 or the wiring 26, 28,30 itself extends out of the second open end 38. In a preferredembodiment, as best seen in FIG. 2 , the wiring 26, 28, 30 extends outof the second open end 38 of the second end section 36 before beingelectrically connected to each of the strips of lights 24. In this case,each strip of lights 24 may preferably extend downwardly from aconnection point at which the wiring is connected to the strip of lights24. Alternatively, the wiring 26, 28, 30 may be connected to the lights24 at a point within the interior of the second end section, preferably36 near the upper end 39 of the second end section 36, and each strip oflights 24 may then extend out of the second open end 38 of the secondend section 36 and downwardly along the second end section 36.

The wiring 26, 28, 30 provides power to all light strips 24 in arespective one of the guide post assemblies 10. The wires 26, 28, 30 arepreferably 14-gauge waterproof wire approximately ten feet long for eachguide post assembly 10. In a preferred embodiment, as best seen in FIGS.2 and 4 , the wiring comprises three wires with ends positioned at thefirst open end 40 of the first end section 34 of the support post 22.The three wires include one wire 26 for the brake light and turn signallights, which are operated by one light strip 24 a in the rear cavity32, one wire 28 for all running lights, including both red 24 a andamber 24 b running lights, and one return wire 30, or ground wire, forall light strips 24 a and 24 b, which may preferably include two redlight strips 24 a and three amber light strips 24 b.

As shown in FIG. 4 , these three wires preferably branch into tenseparate wires for the functioning of all light strips 24. FIG. 4illustrates a preferred embodiment of the guide post assembly 10 havinga total of five light strips 24, including two red light strips 24 a andthree amber light strips 24 b on the front side 72 of the guide post 12and the two opposing sides 74, respectively, of the guide post 12between the front 72 and rear 74 sides. The return wire 30 preferablybranches into five wires providing a return path for electric currentfor each of the five light strips 24. The running lights wire 28preferably branches into four wires for providing electrical power toeach of the three amber light strips 24 b and to one red light strip 24a that provides rear 70 running lights. The brake and turn signal lightswire 26 preferably does not branch into other wires as it provideselectrical power only to the red light strip 24 a that provides brakingand turn signal lighting. The close up view of FIG. 4 illustrates aschematic of the wiring 26, 28, 30 within the interior of the supportpost 22. Any suitable type of electrical wiring connectors may beutilized to form branches as indicated in FIG. 4 and insulate individualwires. As best seen in FIG. 4 , all wires for supplying electrical powerextend through the support post 22 and the optional extension tube 20 tothe upper end 39 of the support post 22, at which point the wires 26,28, 30 may be retained in place by the wire retainer 18. Each of thewires may pass through one of the openings in the cap 18 to retain thewires in place. The light strips 24 are each operably connected to thecorresponding wires and may then be allowed to suspend downward from thewire retainer 18, as shown in FIG. 4 , which shows the suspended lightstrips 24 before installation of the outer translucent tube 12. Thelight strips 24 are preferably each 12V direct current waterproof lightstrips including 22-gauge wire. Each light strip 24 may comprise aplurality of distinct individual lights arranged in a row or maycomprise a single continuous light strip.

To install the guide post assembly 10, the first end section 34 of theangled support post 22 is fastened to a support beam 102 of the boattrailer 100 with fasteners such as U-bolts 60. The first end section 34is preferably in a generally horizontal position relative to the groundon which the trailer 100 rests. In embodiments utilizing the optionalextension tube 20, the extension tube 20 is placed in an axially alignedposition with the second end section 36 of the support post 22. Theoptional interior tube 16 may then be inserted downward through theextension tube 20 and into the second end section 36 of the support post22, as shown in FIG. 4 . The support post 22 may have a stopper withinthe interior conduit 46 of the post to stop the interior tube 16 at theappropriate location within the support post. The extension tube 20 mayextend the length of the second end section 36 of the support post 22 sothat the wire retainer 18 may be positioned at the upper end 39 of thesecond end section 36 of the support post 22 and also just below the cap14 of the translucent outer tube 12, as shown in FIG. 5 . The interiortube 16 functions to provide internal stability to the extension tube 20to hold the extension tube in a fixed position relative to the supportpost 22 and also to protect the wiring 26, 28, 30. The interior tube 16may also be utilized in embodiments not utilizing the extension tube 20in order to provide an attachment point for the wire retainer 18, whichis preferably an end cap sized to cap the interior tube 20, and toprotect the internal wiring 26, 28, 30, which preferably extends throughthe interior of the interior tube 16.

All of the wiring 26, 28, 30 may then be inserted through the secondopen end 38 of the support post 22 and also through a top open end ofthe interior tube 16 that has been inserted into the support post 22.The wiring 26, 28, 30 is inserted through the entire length of both endsection 34 and 36 of the support post 22 so that ends of the brake andsignal light wire 26, the running light wire 28, and the return wire 30are positioned at the first open end 40 of the first end section 34 ofthe support post 22, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 . Opposing ends of thewires 26, 28, 30 for connection to the lighting strips 24 are positionedat the second open end 38 of the support post 22. The wires at thesecond open end 38 may then be inserted through the respectivecorresponding openings in the wire retainer 18. Preferably, each openingcorresponds to one lighting strip 24 and is thus sized so that two wiresfor each strip may pass through the opening. Each opening is alsopreferably sized so that the two wires passing through the opening fitsnugly within the opening so that the opening functions to retain thewires in place and protect the wiring from abrasions. The cap 18 maythen be used to cap the upper open end of the interior tube 16 in orderto hold the cap/wire retainer 18 in place. Each lighting strip 24 maythen be operably connected to the corresponding wires 26, 28, 30. Thelight strips 24 may then be allowed to fall downward and suspend alongthe exterior 50 of the second end section 36 of the support post 22 andoptional extension tube 20, as shown in FIG. 4 .

The translucent circular tube 12 may then be positioned over the supportpost 22, extension tube 20, interior tube 16, and the suspended lightstrips 24 and lowered down over the second end section 36 of the supportpost 22 with each light strip 24 positioned on the appropriate one ofthe four sides of the second end section 36 and optional extension tube20, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5 . In a preferred embodiment, as bestseen in FIGS. 3 and 7 , the support post 22 may have a protrusion 42 andthe outer tube 12 may have a corresponding groove or notch at the bottomend 44 of the tube 12 that fits around the protrusion 42 when the outertube 12 is installed onto the support post 22 to ensure that the outertube 12 remains in place after installation and does not rotate on thesupport post 22. The cap 14 may then be placed onto the top end of theouter tube 12 to cap the tube. The brake and turn signal light wire 26,the running light wire 28, and the ground wire 30 at the first open end40 may then be connected to the existing lighting system of the trailer100 to complete the installation. The trailer 100 lighting systemprovides power to the standard rear running and brake lights 104, whichare powered via wiring typically mounted on the inside of trailersupport beams 102. The existing trailer wiring runs to a front 72 end ofthe trailer 100 where it terminates at a wiring harness, which can beconnected to a wiring harness of the tow vehicle to provide electricalpower and controls of the trailer 100 lighting via a power source andcontrols of the tow vehicle. Thus, once the assembly 10 is fullyinstalled on the trailer 100, the amber 24 b and red 24 a running lightswill illuminate when the towing vehicle's running lights are activated,and the red brake/signal lights 24 a will illuminate when the towingvehicle's brakes are applied or when the turn signals or hazard lightsare used by the operator of the vehicle. It should be understood thatthe installation steps described herein may be performed in the orderdescribed or in any other suitable order. For instance, the angledsupport post 22 may be fastened to the boat trailer 100 before or afterrunning all of the wiring through the support post 22 and before orafter installing the other structural components, including theextension tube 20, the interior tube 16, and the translucent outer tube12.

As seen in FIG. 8 , the first end section 34 of the support post 22 mayextend to an interior side of the trailer support beam 102 when the post22 is fastened to the support beam 102. For ease of connecting theassembly 10 wiring 26, 28, 30 to existing wiring of the trailer 100 forlighting control, an opening (not shown) may be formed on a top side ofthe first end section 34 directly adjacent to the support beam 102 ofthe trailer 100 to limit the distance that the wiring 26, 28, 30 must berun to make the connection. In this case, the opening on the top side ofthe first end section 34 may function as the first open end 40 of thefirst end section 34.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembly 10 oncecompletely assembled. As shown in FIG. 6 , once assembled, thecombination of the squared second end section 36 of the post 22(including the optional extension tube 20) and the translucent outertube 12 form four respective cavities 32 on the four sides of thesupport post 22 with each cavity 32 extending lengthwise alongsubstantially the entire length of the outer tube 12. The four cavities32 define a front 72 cavity, a rear 70 cavity, and two side 74 cavitiesrelative to the boat trailer 100, as indicated by the arrows shown inFIGS. 1 and 6 , when the support post 22 is secured to the boat trailer100. As best seen in FIG. 6 , two strips 24 a of red LED lights arepreferably disposed within the rear cavity and, in a preferredembodiment, one strip 24 b of amber LED lights is disposed within eachof the front cavity and the two side cavities, respectively. Thecavities 32 housing the lighting strips 24 each preferably extendgenerally from the upper end 39 of the support post 22 down lengthwisealong substantially the entire length of the translucent outer tube 12so that the tube 12 glows along substantially the length of the entiretube 12 when the lighting is activated.

As best seen in FIG. 6 , the second end section 36 of the support post22 (and optional extension tube 20 having the same cross-sectional shapeand dimensions as the second end section 36 of the post 22), theinterior tube 16, and the translucent outer tube 12 are all sized sothat these components all fit together snugly so that these componentsprovide support and stability to the overall assembly 10 and prevent theinterior tube 16 and extension tube 20 from rotating relative to theother structural components. FIG. 7 illustrates the mounting hardwareutilizing a unitary support post 22 without an extension tube 20, whichpreferably has the same cross-sectional geometry as shown in FIG. 6 ,and which preferably also utilizes an interior tube 16. In one preferredembodiment, the outer tube 12 may be 2-inch diameter PVC pipe, theinterior tube 16 may be 1-inch PVC pipe, and the second end section 36of the support post 22 and the extension tube 20 may comprise 1½ inchdiameter steel square tubing. In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 6,each light strip 24 is positioned within a respective cavity 32 betweenthe translucent outer tube 12 and the opaque second end section 36 ofthe support post 22 and the optional extension tube 20, which is alsoopaque. The squared extension tube 20 is installed such that the fourcorners 52 of the extension tube 20 contact and are aligned with thefour corners of the support post 22. Thus, when installed, a flat sideof a combination of the extension tube 20 and second end section 36 isfacing in a rearward 70 direction, a forward 72 direction, and laterallyin a side direction 74 on two opposing sides of the post 22,respectively, relative to the trailer 100 on which the assembly 10 isinstalled. Because of the positioning of the light strips 24 within thelengthwise cavities 32 and the opaque material of the extension tube 20and support post 22, the combination extension 20 and post 22 blocks outlight from adjacent sides, thereby preventing light from bleeding overinto adjacent lights and allowing the light strips 24 to emit awell-defined glow on each respective side 70, 72, 74 of the tube 12.Thus, the amber side 74 lights and rear 70 red lights do not bleedtogether. Thus, the present assembly 10 provides a simple constructionthat is easy to assemble and that may provide lighting on all four sidesof the round guide post 12 that does not bleed together. Red lights 24 aon the rear side of the guide post 12 indicate to observers that theyare viewing the rear 70 end of the trailer 100, while amber lights 24 bindicate to observers that they are viewing a front 72 side of the guidepost 12 or one of the sides 74 of the guide post 12 that face in atransverse direction relative to the trailer 100. The assembly 10 maycomprise a kit having all of the components necessary to install thelighted guide posts onto a trailer, or may optionally include only thosecomponents necessary for retrofitting the assembly to a trailer alreadyhaving guide posts, which may thereby utilize parts of an existing setof guide posts, such as the support post securing the guide posts to thetrailer. The length of the second end section 36 of the support post 22,the extension tube 20, the interior tube 16, and/or the outer tube 12may be varied to provide a guide post of any desired height, which maydepend on the size of the boat being trailered.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 , the guide postassembly 10 may be configured for use on a boat lift 200 rather than ona trailer 100. The boat lift 200 may be a pile mount lift, as shown inFIG. 10 , or any similar type of boat lift, such as a lift suspendedfrom an overhead structure. The lift 200 may comprise horizontal supportbeams 202 operatively connected to a hoist 204 that is configured tolift and lower the support beams 202. The hoist 204 may be secured topilings 208 over water and may include a gearbox 212 and spools 210 ofcable with pulleys configured to lift the support beams 202. A pluralityof bunks 206 configured to support the hull of a boat may be attached tothe support beams 202 in a position transverse to the support beams 202.The guide post assembly 10 may be attached to one or more of the supportbeams 202 to guide an operator of the boat to a centered position of thebeams 202 so that the boat is properly positioned on the bunks 206 whenthe lift 200 is used to lift the boat out of the water.

In this embodiment, the guide post assembly 10 comprises a generallyvertical support post 220 configured to attach to the horizontal supportbeam 202 at one end of the support post 220 such that the support post220 extends upwardly from the horizontal support beam 202. The assemblymay include a bracket configured to fasten the support post 220 to thesupport beam 202 and support the post 220 in the vertical position. Thesupport post 220 has a hollow interior that defines a conduit 224 thatextends continuously from an upper open end 226 to a lower open end 228of the support post 220. The support post 220 has a squaredcross-sectional shape, as shown in FIG. 11 . The assembly 10 furthercomprises a translucent circular tube 222 disposed around a length ofthe support post 220. The circular tube 222 is sized to fit over thesquared support post 220 such that the combination of the circular tube222 and the squared support post 220 form four respective cavities 32disposed between an exterior 232 of the support post 220 and an interior230 of the circular tube 222 on each of four respective sides of thesupport post 220, as shown in FIG. 11 . Each cavity 32 extendslengthwise along a length of the support post 220. The four cavitiesdefine a front cavity, a rear cavity, and two opposing side cavities,respectively. A strip of lights 24 is disposed at least within the rearcavity in order to guide an operator of a boat when maneuvering the boatonto the lift 200. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 , eachof the four cavities 32 has a strip of lights 24 disposed therein.Because the boat lift 200 does not involve trailering a boat on aroadway, the light strips 24 may be of any desired color. Wiring isoperatively connected to each respective strip of lights 24 forproviding power to the lights. The wiring extends continuously throughthe conduit 224 within the interior of the support post 220 from thelower open end 228 to the upper open end 226 of the support post 220.The wiring may be run along the support beam 202 from a power sourceattached to the pilings 208, to a dock, or on adjacent land to the loweropen end 228 of the support post 220 and then through the conduit 224 tothe upper open end 226 of the support post 220 for connection to thelights 24. The wiring is operatively connected to each strip of lights24 at an upper end of each strip of lights 24. Each strip of lights 24then extends from the wiring downwardly along the exterior 232 of thesupport post 220. Each strip of lights 24 may be suspended from theupper open end 226 of the support post 220 such that each strip oflights 24 hangs within a respective one of the cavities 32. Thus, thewiring is operatively connected to each strip of lights 24 through theupper open end 226 of the support post 220.

In a preferred embodiment, the circular tube 222 is sized such that aninterior surface 230 of the circular tube 222 contacts four cornersections of the support post 220 along a length of the support post 220,as shown in FIG. 11 . An interior tube 16 and/or wire retainer 18positioned at the upper end 226 of the support post 220 may optionallybe utilized.

It is understood that versions of the present disclosure may come indifferent forms and embodiments. Additionally, it is understood that oneof skill in the art would appreciate these various forms and embodimentsas falling within the scope of the invention as disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A guide post assembly, comprising: an angledsupport post having a first end section and a second end sectionpositioned at an angle to the first end section, wherein the second endsection is disposed in a generally vertical position and extendsupwardly from the first end section, wherein the first end section has afirst open end and the second end section has a second open end oppositethe first open end, wherein the support post has a hollow interior thatdefines a conduit that extends continuously from the first open end tothe second open end of the support post, wherein the second open end isdisposed at an upper end of the second end section, and wherein thesecond end section has a squared cross-sectional shape; a translucentcircular tube disposed around the second end section of the angledsupport post, wherein the circular tube is sized to fit over the squaredsecond end section of the support post such that the combination of thecircular tube and the squared second end section of the support postform four respective cavities disposed between an exterior of the secondend section and an interior of the circular tube on each of fourrespective sides of the second end section, wherein each cavity extendslengthwise along a length of the circular tube, wherein the fourcavities define a front cavity, a rear cavity, and two opposing sidecavities, respectively; a strip of lights disposed within the rearcavity and extending lengthwise along a length of the rear cavity; andwiring operatively connected to the strip of lights, wherein the wiringextends continuously through the conduit within the interior of thesupport post from the first open end of the first end section to thesecond open end of the second end section, wherein the wiring isoperatively connected to the strip of lights at an upper end of thestrip of lights, and wherein the strip of lights extends from the wiringdownwardly along the second end section.
 2. The guide post assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the strip of lights is suspended from the upper end ofthe second end section such that the strip of lights hangs within therear cavity.
 3. The guide post assembly of claim 1, wherein the wiringis operatively connected to the strip of lights through the second openend at the upper end of the second end section.
 4. The guide postassembly of claim 1, further comprising a second strip of lightsdisposed lengthwise within the front cavity or within one of the sidecavities, wherein the wiring is operatively connected to the secondstrip of lights at an upper end of the second strip of lights, andwherein the second strip of lights extends from the wiring downwardlyalong the second end section.
 5. The guide post assembly of claim 4,wherein the first strip of lights comprises red lights, and wherein thesecond strip of lights comprises amber lights.
 6. The guide postassembly of claim 1, further comprising a second strip of lightsdisposed lengthwise within the rear cavity parallel to the first stripof lights, wherein the first and second strips of light each comprisered lights, wherein the wiring is operatively connected to the secondstrip of lights at an upper end of the second strip of lights, andwherein the second strip of lights extends from the wiring downwardlyalong the second end section.
 7. The guide post assembly of claim 6,further comprising a third strip of lights disposed lengthwise withinthe front cavity or within one of the side cavities, wherein the wiringis operatively connected to the third strip of lights at an upper end ofthe third strip of lights, and wherein the third strip of lights extendsfrom the wiring downwardly along the second end section, wherein thethird strip of lights comprises amber lights.
 8. The guide post assemblyof claim 1, further comprising a fastener configured to fixedly securethe first end section of the angled support post to a support beam of aboat trailer.
 9. The guide post assembly of claim 1, wherein thecircular tube is sized such that an interior surface of the circulartube contacts four corner sections of the second end section of theangled support post along a length of the second end section.
 10. Theguide post assembly of claim 1, further comprising a wire retainerpositioned at the second open end of the second end section of thesupport post, wherein the wire retainer retains the wiring at the upperend of the second end section.
 11. A guide post assembly, comprising: agenerally vertical support post configured to attach to a horizontalsupport beam at one end of the support post such that the support postextends upwardly from the horizontal support beam, wherein the supportpost has a hollow interior that defines a conduit that extendscontinuously from a lower open end to an upper open end disposed at anupper end of the support post, wherein the support post has a squaredcross-sectional shape, a translucent circular tube disposed around alength of the support post, wherein the circular tube is sized to fitover the squared support post such that the combination of the circulartube and the squared support post form four respective cavities disposedbetween an exterior of the support post and an interior of the circulartube on each of four respective sides of the support post, wherein eachcavity extends lengthwise along a length of the support post, whereinthe four cavities define a front cavity, a rear cavity, and two opposingside cavities, respectively, a strip of lights disposed within the rearcavity and extending lengthwise along a length of the rear cavity, andwiring operatively connected to the strip of lights, wherein the wiringextends continuously through the conduit within the interior of thesupport post from the lower open end to the upper open end of thesupport post, wherein the wiring is operatively connected to the stripof lights at an upper end of the strip of lights, and wherein the stripof lights extends from the wiring downwardly along an exterior of thesupport post.
 12. The guide post assembly of claim 11, wherein the stripof lights is suspended from the upper end of the support post such thatthe strip of lights hangs within the rear cavity.
 13. The guide postassembly of claim 11, wherein the wiring is operatively connected to thestrip of lights through the upper open end of the support post.
 14. Theguide post assembly of claim 11, further comprising a second strip oflights disposed lengthwise within at least one of the front cavity andthe two opposing side cavities, wherein the wiring is operativelyconnected to the second strip of lights at an upper end of the secondstrip of lights, and wherein the second strip of lights extends from thewiring downwardly along the exterior of the support post.
 15. The guidepost assembly of claim 11, wherein the circular tube is sized such thatan interior surface of the circular tube contacts four corner sectionsof the support post along a length of the support post.